INEC to conduct Anambra Guber Election on November 8, 2025

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By Joy Odor

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has informed that the Anambra State Governorship election will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

Prof Yakubu who made this known during his address at the Extraordinary Meeting with Political Parties in Abuja on Thursday affirmed that Anambra Governorship election is a vital part of democratic process, which they are ready to deliver an election that reflects the will of the people.

Prof Yakubu said Anambra election is expected to attract significant attention, given the state’s political dynamics and the influence of the result on the broader political landscape in Nigeria.

According to him, as the election date approaches, parties and candidates are expected to intensify their campaigns, with the focus shifting to grassroots mobilization and voter outreach.

“I have repeatedly said that there is no election season in Nigeria any longer. Recently, our regular meetings have come on the eve of major elections. With just 29 days (or four weeks) to the Ondo State Governorship election, today’s meeting is no exception. Only two days ago, the Commission presented the register of voters to political parties in our State office in Akure. With this development, we have successfully accomplished 10 out of the 13 activities listed in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

“The Commission is glad to note that all political parties fielding candidates for the election are in full compliance with the requirements for the upload. We are working in earnest to ensure that we deliver the identification tags for each of the 24,148 agents uploaded to our portal.

“A document containing the names and location addresses of the 221 collection centres has already been uploaded to our website for public information. Hard copies are also included in your folders for this meeting” he said.

INEC Chairman noted that the Commission is fully committed to ensuring a free, fair and credible process in the forthcoming Ondo and Anambra States gubernatorial as it would guarantee transparency, accountability, and adherence to democratic principles throughout the election cycle.

INEC Boss charged the Political parties to start their preparations in earnest and reassured the public that all necessary logistics, including voter registration updates, will be completed well ahead of the scheduled date.

He also enjoined the political parties to conduct themselves responsibly, while all candidates and their supporters prioritize peaceful campaigns.

INEC Chairman told the political parties of the preparation timeline, voter education, and ongoing improvements to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which has been central to the commission’s efforts to improve the credibility of the voting process.

He reminded the parties of INEC’s guidelines and the critical role that adherence to these rules plays in fostering a credible electoral environment.

“Even as we prepare for the Ondo State Governorship election, we are always mindful of our responsibilities for elections and electoral activities. For instance, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 requires the Commission to issue the notice for elections not later than 360 days before the date of the election. This applies to the General as well as Off-Cycle governorship elections. As you are aware, the last governorship election in Anambra State was held on 6th November 2021. By the effluxion of time, the governorship election is due next year. Consequently, the Commission has approved that the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election will hold on Saturday 8th November 2025” he said.

 

The Inter party Advisory Council (IPAC) National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle in his speech assured INEC to lead from the front in voter mobilisation as a major stakeholder, and urged political parties and their candidates to imbibe issue-based campaigns and eschew politics of bitterness.

IPAC Chairman urged stakeholders in the electoral process to join in voter education, sensitisation and mobilisation to ensure a free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive, and peaceful election that will meet international standards.

He called on governments at all levels to improve the people’s wellbeing in tandem with Section 14(2)b of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. Urgent steps should be taken to ameliorate the hardship millions of Nigerians are facing today.

Dantalle noted that this would spur their political participation that will give more credence to the electoral process.

According to him, Nigerians expect INEC to improve on the Saturday 16th November 2024, Ondo State gubernatorial poll.

To this end, IPAC Boss maintained that the Commission is required to put its act together, provide adequate electoral materials, test run its BVAS and IReV portal to avoid undue technical hitches and glitches that will cast doubt on the integrity of the election.

He lamented that the issue of late arrival of election materials to some polling units must be addressed to reinforce confidence in the polls.

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